GM Kyle Dubas didn’t hide their picks when he spoke to reporters at the draft. This was after he successfully cleared Petr Mrazek’s $3.8 million hit from the books. “With the cap space we have now, every option is available to us,” Dubas said.
Finding the right choice
The big question facing the Maple Leafs now is who their best option is. With free agency opening on Wednesday, they could go to market with their new found cap space. They have about $10.2 million on hand. Could they revisit the Jack Campbell situation? Maybe. They can check in and see if a deal can be reached. However, it still seems like a difficult situation. Campbell isn’t likely to take a discount back home. Securing it appears to require an AAV of at least $5 million. Yes, the Maple Leafs can afford it on the surface. But with other moves they have to make, this would make things very tight again. Kyle Dubas on the #NHL goaltending market: “Good sense of where [it’s] in, where it goes and who is available, what the cost will be in a transaction. We will deal with our own situation with Jack [Campbell] and if we get to that point, we will work with the rest of the free agents” If they could somehow agree on a number under $5 million, then there’s a chance. The Oilers seem more likely to be able to give Campbell what he’s looking for. But at least the Maple Leafs can check in again. It would be nearly impossible without dealing with Mrazek first. What about other free agent options? Rights to Ville Husso transferred to Detroit Red Wings. He then signed a new three-year contract with them at $4.75 million. So it’s out. Then there’s the Darcy Kuemper situation. His Stanley Cup winning performance helped get himself out of Colorado. He will be highly sought after with many teams interested. Can the Maple Leafs come up with the best offer? If not, can they be presented as the best case for integration? With the Washington Capitals among the teams with the most serious interest, there is no guarantee that Kuemper will end up with the Maple Leafs.
A Blockbuster Trade
If the Maple Leafs hit free agency, they can go the trade route. This gives them a unique opportunity to settle the goaltending issue once and for all not only this season but for the foreseeable future. At the end of the day, the Maple Leafs want to find the goalie that will help them win the Stanley Cup. But who could be available in trade that can help them now and in the future? A name stands out given its current status on the team. This is Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson. The Maple Leafs should take a hard look at signing John Gibson. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers) This begs the question: can a blockbuster deal be found that would bring Gibson to the Maple Leafs? Let’s set the scene.
Could Gibson work in Toronto?
Gibson currently has five seasons left on his deal worth an AAV of $6.4 million. Taking the full AAV wouldn’t be ideal if the money didn’t go against it. Who would go to the Ducks that might make some sense given their high price tag in any trade package. In terms of comparable money, William Nylander stands out. Nylander has two more seasons at $6.96 million. It would take a lot to move the Maple Leafs away from Nylander. It would also take a long time for the Ducks to move away from Gibson. Would a one-on-one situation be enough? Maple Leafs affiliate Alex Hobson believes the team should consider Gibson if the price is right. Hobson also notes that there is significant risk in signing Gibson, citing his recent numbers. In saying that, he also believes the team should be able to compete in the East with Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin. This is what makes Gibson intriguing. This is also why the Maple Leafs should consider trading a player like Nylander in a potential deal. AAV is similar to the Maple Leafs getting extra cap space in the first two years. They would have their nets for the next five years. If trading William Nylander meant securing your net for many years, the Maple Leafs should consider it. (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers) Gibson will join a much deeper team in Toronto than he did in Anaheim. The numbers don’t lie. When he’s struggling, he’s mean. But when he’s right, he’s one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. As I’ve talked about in previous pieces, Nylander is a luxury when you already have the offensive firepower of the Maple Leafs. The missing piece is in the net. That’s why a blockbuster trade centered around Gibson and Nylander is worth considering. If trading Nylander was meant to bring you the missing piece of the puzzle, you need to think hard about it. It’s worth noting that Gibson keeps some of the cards with the modified 10-team no-trade list. He should indicate that it is okay for him to accept a trade with the Maple Leafs. On the Ducks side, they would be getting an elite offensive threat to join their young core in Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish. What could cause some hesitation for the Ducks is what they would do in net should Gibson be traded. But would he stick to his contract knowing that growing pains are still on the horizon? Also, will Nylander re-sign with the Ducks after the deal expires? The Ducks could be a desirable destination given their young talent in Trevor Zegras. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers) Hobson believes the Maple Leafs would need another piece like Maxime Comtois to make this a fair deal. He believes Nylander’s trade would need more in the return considering he’s coming off a career-high 80-point season.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, a trade can work in the right situation. The Gibson/Nylander example shows how each player would benefit the new team, while also seeing potential weaknesses in the deal. Still, if the Maple Leafs make a blockbuster trade for a money-in, money-out goaltender, it addresses their needs in goal while still having room to address elsewhere on the team. Signing a goaltender in free agency puts you back in goal.
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This is why the Maple Leafs should consider a blockbuster. It would allow them to finally put an end to their constant search for a goalkeeper once and for all. But as Dubas said, all options are on the table. This decision could ultimately decide if the Maple Leafs finally get to where they want to go. This is drinking from Lord Stanley’s Cup. I am a fully credentialed writer covering the Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Monsters and Erie Otters as well as the Ontario Hockey League and the NHL Draft. The 2021-22 season will mark eight seasons with the Hockey Writers. I am also the site’s Credentials Administrator.
